Tahirih’s Force Marriage Initiative team wrote an op-ed published in Teen Vogue that explains how R&B star Aaliyah was able to be married to R. Kelly when she was just 15 years old. 

Read the full article here.

We’ve been hearing a lot about child marriage in the news lately and the importance of ending this harmful human rights abuse wherever it occurs, including right here in the […]

For some children and young adults, this time out of school can also carry with it the risk of an unwanted engagement or marriage.

As advocates working to end forced marriage in the United States, we are very familiar with the many misconceptions about the issue. Even among other anti-violence advocates, forced marriage remains under-recognized and poorly understood.

With spring in full bloom across the country, we know that wedding season is near.

And while this can be a thrilling time to celebrate life’s precious moments with their family and friends, for some, the return of the wedding season can be tied to the trauma of sexual assault and serve as a trigger for individuals who have been forced to marry.

It’s that time of year again! The stores are filled with heart-shaped chocolate candy boxes, teddy bears, balloons, and flowers in every checkout lane. Street vendors are out with their customizable baskets, and social media is filled with ads […]

By: Forced Marriage Initiative Project Associate, Hellitz Villegas Our clients have been deeply impacted by the pandemic. The majority of our clients face harm from their parents, siblings, or other […]